Leslie Hetherington

Leslie Hetherington

Personal Information
Date of Birth	c1888
Place of Birth	Stockton, Newcastle, New South Wales
Death	3 Jul 1971, aged 83
Place of Death	North Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	26 years, 1 month
Description	5'8" (1.73m) tall ; 127lbs 57.606 kg ; dark complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Linotype Operator
Religion	Methodist
Address	11 Stanley street, Mount Lawley, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Muriel Kate Hetherington
Military Information
Reg Number	2924
Date of Enlistment	10 Jul 1916
Rank	Lance Corporal
Unit/Formation	51st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
Date of Embarkation	9 Nov 1916 ‒ 10 Jan 1917
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A8 Argyllshire
Date of Return	18 Mar 1918 ‒ 23 Apr 1918
Ship Returned On	SS Kenilworth Castle
Date of Return	28 Apr 1918 ‒ 13 May 1918
Ship Returned On	SS Field Marshall Durban to Fremantle
Fate	WIA 26 Sep 1917 Polygon Wood
Monument	Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Gosnells Ward Honour Roll
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

On 27 Mar 1915 Leslie married Muriel Kate Thornlie James (1892 - 1990). Muriel died on 18 Aug 1990 aged 97, in Como.

War Service

Entered camp on 10 Jul 1916 and on 1 Aug 1916 had made enough progress to be allocated to the 8th reinforcement draft for the 51st Battalion. However, on 4 Sep 1916 he was advanced and transferred to the 7th reinforcement draft for the same unit, sailing with them to Devonport in England. On arrival they were sent to the 13th Training Battalion in Codford. On 25 Feb 1917 Leslie spent time in the Group Hospital, reason not recorded, and from 30 Mar 1917 until 18 Apr 1917 he acted as a Corporal. On 19 Apr 1917 he proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone.

On 25 Apr 1917 he was taken on strength by the 51st Battalion and had "A" added to his regimental number. On 1 May 1917 he was appointed Lance Corporal. Leslie was wounded in action on 26 Sep 1917 with a shrapnel wound to his right wrist. Admitted the next day to the 18th General Hospital at Camiers, on 30 Sep 1917 he was evacuated to England aboard HMHS Newhaven. Admitted the same day to the 2nd Birmingham War Hospital in Northfield, he was released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford on 28 Nov 1917. Granted furlough from 10 to 24 Dec 1917, he was then directed to the No.3 Command Depot in Hurdcott.

The wound appears to have impacted his ability to again return to France, and he spent time in both the No.3 and No.4 Command Depots before returning to Australia for medical reasons. Discharged at the 5th Military District on 1 Aug 1918.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1925 - 1968 at 74 Mabel street, Balkatta, linotype operator.

Notes

No obvious connection to the district in his records. The Post Office Directories for 1912 - 1914 lists an L. Hetherington as living in Gosnells. Believed to be a correct match for the name on the Honour Roll.